Heritage Memorial Trail across Wokingham to commemorate First World War

The programme will be launched on Heritage Day, Sunday, September 14, at Wokingham town hall

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Funding has been secured to host a Heritage Memorial Trail across the borough to commemorate the outbreak of the First World War.

The Heritage Lottery Fund has awarded Wokingham a £6,400 grant for the project from its ‘First World War: Then and Now’ programme, to create a trail connecting the borough’s 23 memorials, including a new memorial in Woodley.

The project will provide exhibition stands for towns, parishes and churches on the trail, sharing some of the stories of the fallen on individual memorials.

The ‘pop-up’ mobile stands are designed to be displayed collectively as a larger exhibition, available to schools and community groups.

A commemorative brochure will serve as guide to the memorials.

There are also plans, funding permitting, to develop a mobile phone app to share stories of the fallen, and to develop town and parish websites.

Councillor Martin Bishop, town mayor, said: “We are delighted to be working with colleague councils and partners across the borough to ensure that, as a community, we all sensitively commemorate the Great War and ensure our young people are able to better understand the sacrifices made to ensure Britain remained a free nation.

Cllr Brian Franklin, mayor of Woodley, added: “This is a great project and Woodley Town Council is very pleased that, as well as the memorial in St John’s Church, it will have a new public war memorial in place for this year’s commemorations.

“We are looking forward to being part of what I believe will be an interesting and thought provoking borough-wide trail.”

The programme will be launched on Heritage Day, Sunday, September 14, at the town hall where there will also be access to the virtual museum, war uniforms and equipment, an exhibition of vehicles from the time and a themed market.

A local historian will share her research about the Red Cross Hospital which was founded in Wokingham by the-then town mayor, Councillor Mylne.

Stuart McLeod, head of Heritage Lottery Fund South East England, said: “The impact of the First World War touched every corner of the UK.

“The Heritage Lottery Fund has already invested more than £52 million in projects – large and small – that are marking this centenary.

“Our small grants programme is enabling even more communities like those involved in Wokingham Remembers to explore the continuing legacy of this conflict and help local young people in particular to broaden their understanding of how it has shaped our modern world.”

Information will start to become available in the coming months through town and parish councils, the borough’s library service and churches.

If you any artefacts, stories or information you wish to share contact Jan Nowecki, town clerk, or Nikki Payler, civic officer, at Wokingham Town Council (0118) 978 3185.

We will remember

A vigil service will be held in Wokingham to mark the outbreak of the First World War.

The service, organised by Churches Together in Wokingham, will be at St Paul’s Church, in Reading Road, on Monday, August 4.

Wokingham Borough Library service is a preparing reminiscence boxes to share with residential and care homes in the area.

During the coming months there will be a number of talks related to the First World War at libraries and Wokingham Town Hall, in Market Place.

There are also plans for activities for children and families to help the younger generation better understand the impact and significance of the Great War.